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The road to . . . and evening of,
The Prisoner Con 2017 |
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"Greetings good people. Greetings, one and all.
The day is finally here. The Prisoner Con opens today. Come in!--come in and give us your . . . information." |
At 5:00 PM on Saturday, September 30, 2017, the loud speakers outside The Broadway Performance Hall (in Seattle, WA), came to life with cheerful band music. Then, interrupted by the very familiar chimes, came the enthusiastic, strong and uplifting voice of Ms. Fenella Fielding exclaiming, “Welcome good people; welcome one and all. The day has finally arrived. The Prisoner Con opens today!”
That greeting was just one of the collection of announcements Fenella made especially for The Prisoner Con, recorded in London on Feb. 9, 2017 by Keith Rodgerson and engineered (in Seattle) by Jim Dolan. Throughout the evening, Villagers heard Fenella introduce each of our Special Guests, and, announce reminders--warnings?--that kept the event on schedule.
In addition to hearing the fanfare and that very familiar voice, attendees--our Villagers--found two beautiful Lotus 7 vehicles stationed in the plaza. These fabulous cars were generously displayed by Tom (and Louise) Forsyth and Alice Larson--Prisoner fans, and, members of the Evergreen Lotus Car Club.
That greeting was just one of the collection of announcements Fenella made especially for The Prisoner Con, recorded in London on Feb. 9, 2017 by Keith Rodgerson and engineered (in Seattle) by Jim Dolan. Throughout the evening, Villagers heard Fenella introduce each of our Special Guests, and, announce reminders--warnings?--that kept the event on schedule.
In addition to hearing the fanfare and that very familiar voice, attendees--our Villagers--found two beautiful Lotus 7 vehicles stationed in the plaza. These fabulous cars were generously displayed by Tom (and Louise) Forsyth and Alice Larson--Prisoner fans, and, members of the Evergreen Lotus Car Club.
Video retrospective:
The Eternal Village
The Eternal Village
Upon entering The Broadway Performance Hall, each person was greeted by our Village Registrar, No. 12 (Lindsay). With her charming manner and skillful efficiency (so very Village-esque), No. 12 collected each Villager's $19.67 registration fee (appreciating the greater contributions of a few magnanimous individuals) while providing each person with a full-color, tri-fold program along with their uniquely numbered 3" badge and Village credit card.
Then, after Fenella announced, "Your attention, please: All citizens must be seated for the program to begin", at 6:00 PM the evening began with a specially produced, 17 minute video retrospective entitled, "The Eternal Village" that examined why the Prisoner remains relevant today, and, how its imagery has been honored and/or incorporated into many forms of mass media.
Then, after Fenella announced, "Your attention, please: All citizens must be seated for the program to begin", at 6:00 PM the evening began with a specially produced, 17 minute video retrospective entitled, "The Eternal Village" that examined why the Prisoner remains relevant today, and, how its imagery has been honored and/or incorporated into many forms of mass media.
Number 84
Tim Palgut
Tim Palgut
When the video concluded and the theater's screen was raised . . . in the darkened auditorium the audience heard those familiar chimes followed by, "Attention Technical Operations: No. 84 to the Green Dome. Good people, please welcome, Mr. Tim Palgut."
As the curtains parted, we found Tim sitting center stage--bathed in a single overhead white light--wearing his black blazer with white piping over a shirt illustrating a mosaic of Prisoner iconography.
Tim was joined on stage by No. 73 (Brianne) and No. 30 (Janine) who shared an engaging conversation with him about his authorship, career and personal connections to The Prisoner TV program as well as his visits to Portmeirion. Tim's portion of the program ended with a vibrant series of questions and comments from the audience (facilitated by No. 30 and her wireless mic).
As the curtains parted, we found Tim sitting center stage--bathed in a single overhead white light--wearing his black blazer with white piping over a shirt illustrating a mosaic of Prisoner iconography.
Tim was joined on stage by No. 73 (Brianne) and No. 30 (Janine) who shared an engaging conversation with him about his authorship, career and personal connections to The Prisoner TV program as well as his visits to Portmeirion. Tim's portion of the program ended with a vibrant series of questions and comments from the audience (facilitated by No. 30 and her wireless mic).
Numbers 48 & 100
Sophia Cacciola
& Michael Epstein
Sophia Cacciola
& Michael Epstein
After a short break, Fenella beckoned the audience back into the auditorium. Once the lights were down, Fenella's voice filled the room with a joyful notice: "Your attention please: The Entertainment Committee is very pleased to present a very special musical performance by Nos. 48 & 100. Good people, please welcome, Sophia & Michael, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling."
Dressed in matching blazers with white piping, Sophia & Michael, performed two of their songs, each themed and named for an episode of the program. They were joined on-stage by No. 8 (Leanne) who chatted with the auteurs about their inspirations for this substantial (17 part) musical project. Then, the audience was treated to a screening of one of DNFMOMD's music videos-- created by and starring Sophia & Michael.
Returning to the stage, Sophia & Michael performed several more songs and then spoke with No. 8 about the production of their absolutely amazing scene-for-scene remake of The Prisoner's title sequence, which was then shown on the theater's movie screen.
You can read Sophia & Michael's review of The Prisoner Con at their website.
Dressed in matching blazers with white piping, Sophia & Michael, performed two of their songs, each themed and named for an episode of the program. They were joined on-stage by No. 8 (Leanne) who chatted with the auteurs about their inspirations for this substantial (17 part) musical project. Then, the audience was treated to a screening of one of DNFMOMD's music videos-- created by and starring Sophia & Michael.
Returning to the stage, Sophia & Michael performed several more songs and then spoke with No. 8 about the production of their absolutely amazing scene-for-scene remake of The Prisoner's title sequence, which was then shown on the theater's movie screen.
You can read Sophia & Michael's review of The Prisoner Con at their website.
No. 22
Lucille Soong
Lucille Soong
After the evening's second break, with the audience back in the theater, the darkened room was once again filled with Fenella's alluring voice, this time saying: "Attention Botanical Department: Fresh flowers are needed in the Town Hall. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Ms. Lucille Soong."
Lucille was joined on-stage by No. 89 (Karl) who spoke with her about the chapters of her fascinating life, the achievements (and hardships) of her thespian career, her recollections of gaining and performing her role on The Prisoner (episode, "A, B & C") and her current hit ABC program, "Fresh Off the Boat".
Following Lucille's interview, everyone had time to meet all of The Prisoner Con's Special Guests in the lobby of the Performance Hall. Then, after a few very sincere words of thanks to the Special Guests, the event's Warders and Villagers, the audience had the joy of seeing, "Arrival" shown in HD video projection on the theater's movie-sized screen.
By 11:00 PM, fond good-nights were shared between old friends and new acquaintances as we departed the Performance Hall--taking with us memories of a very special occasion (and an equally rare achievement).
Lucille was joined on-stage by No. 89 (Karl) who spoke with her about the chapters of her fascinating life, the achievements (and hardships) of her thespian career, her recollections of gaining and performing her role on The Prisoner (episode, "A, B & C") and her current hit ABC program, "Fresh Off the Boat".
Following Lucille's interview, everyone had time to meet all of The Prisoner Con's Special Guests in the lobby of the Performance Hall. Then, after a few very sincere words of thanks to the Special Guests, the event's Warders and Villagers, the audience had the joy of seeing, "Arrival" shown in HD video projection on the theater's movie-sized screen.
By 11:00 PM, fond good-nights were shared between old friends and new acquaintances as we departed the Performance Hall--taking with us memories of a very special occasion (and an equally rare achievement).
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